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Delicious, simple and quick 4th of July Rice Krispie Treats are always a hit, and are festive for any patriotic occasion.
When we are looking for a fun and festive treat for Independence Day, we also like to make our 4th of July Cookies and American Flag Cake.
Patriotic Rice Krispie treats
Whenever we need to make a last-minute treat, we always opt for Rice Krispie Treats, because:
- I always have the ingredients on hand and
- They are SO easy and yummy!!
I used some red and blue food coloring to create these patriotic layers, and I love how these 4th of July rice krispie treats turned out!
How to Make
- PREP. Separating your cereal and marshmallows into three (2 cups of rice krispies, and about 2 cups of marshmallows). You’re going to make one layer at a time.
- MARSHMALLOWS. Put the marshmallows in microwave safe bowls, and add 1 Tbsp margarine to each. Microwave one at a time for a few minutes until the marshmallows start to expand. Make sure they don’t overflow!
- DYE. In one bowl, mix in blue food coloring, and mix red in another (food coloring gel will be more vibrant). Add 2 cups of rice krispies to each bowl and stir with a rubber spatula until all the cereal is well coated.
- ASSEMBLE. Layer the cereal in a glass baking dish in whatever order you like (we started with blue, white, then red). To press the layers in evenly, you can use a sheet of wax paper on top of the marshmallow covered cereal, and then press with your hands. That way your hands don’t get so messy and the rice krispies won’t stick to you.
- COOL. Let all the layers cool before cutting into squares. Enjoy!
Tips + variations
- Mini Marshmallows: Use normal sized or mini marshmallows as long as you have the amount the recipe calls for in each separate bowl.
- Pan Size: I use an 8×8 or a 9×9 glass pan. You can use 9×13, but the treats will be thinner. You can also double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan for more thick rice krispie treats.
- Shapes: Once the layers are cooled, use cookie cutters once the layers are cooled to cut out different shapes. I think stars would be fun for the 4th of July!
- To cook the marshmallows, I prefer the ease of microwaving the marshmallows, but if you would rather use the stove, by all means, you can! I would still recommend doing the three layers separately, that way you ensure each layer has the same amount of marshmallow coating.
SToring Info
STORE Fourth of July Rice Krispie treats in an airtight container, but only for about 2-3 days. Try and keep them in a container that will fit all of them just right, without much excess air. The more open space, the more likely they are to dry out.
Store them at room temperature and not in the fridge. Sticking a piece of sandwich bread into the container will help keep the rice krispie treats soft.
For more patriotic treats, check out:
- Patriotic Trail Mix
- American Flag Cake
- Red White and Blue Cake
- Patriotic Poke Cake
- 4th of July Cookies
4th of July Rice Krispies Treats
Ingredients
- 6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal (divided)
- 16 oz marshmallows (divided)
- 3 tbsp margarine or butter (divided)
- Food Coloring (red and blue/turquoise – I like Betty Crocker Gel Food Colors because the colors are brighter)
Instructions
- Gather your supplies and divide the Rice Krispies and marshmallows in three for the three layers (2 cups Rice Krispies and about 2 cups marshmallows).
- Add marshmallows to a microwave safe bowl along with the margarine (1 TB) for a few minutes or until they start to get big and almost touch the top of the microwave. Take them out, stir well and add the food coloring. (We started with the blue, then no food coloring and then the red).
- Then add 2 cups of Rice Krispies and stir well. Press into well greased 9×9 pan (a 9×13 works but makes thinner treats).
- Repeat with no food coloring and then the red food coloring layer. Let set and ENJOY!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m not sure what I did wrong but do not use a 9×13! You almost need a very small cake pan that’s more deep. My first set was so thin, they almost weren’t edible. When I was heating up the second round of mallows and butter, the butter completely burned. Or the marshmallows. I’m not sure which one but nonetheless, they burnt! Save yourself time and just buy the red and blue Rice Krispies and do it the normal way.
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!
Use a 9×13 glass pan but double the recipe. Melt the butter and marshmallows on the stove, stir until completely melted. Use Pam baking spray on your hands and stirring spoons so it doesn’t stick to your hands as much.
Definitely a favorite for kids and adults. Love the ease of making them and the pleasure of eating them. An added bonus is the fun color. Going to try with other holiday colors. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
These treats are so pretty. %The 3 colored layers are genius. Your tips are great. Very helpful.
What a fun treat this will make for our fourth of July picnic!
This will be a perfect treat for my grandkids who will be visiting on the 4th 🇺🇸
This was a fun twist on rice crispy treats. Our kids, nieces, and nephews love them
My family has people with gluten and dairy allergies and I love when i can find a recipe that you can adjust so that they can have the same treat everyone else gets. Super fun and festive for the 4th.
We are huge rice krispie fans & made these over the weekend. They were such a hit & so festive!
Such a cute way to celebrate the the 4th! Everybody loves Rice Krispie treats in our home.
How thin would the rice crispy treats be if you used a 9 by 13 pan?
Made patriotic rice krispy treats for the staff at Josephine Street restaurant in SA and the “blue” treats came out green, but I still loved the idea. As always when things don’t come out as planned, one must make the best of it. And I made them w/ 💕. Happy 4th 🎆
These treats look colorful and yummy! I love festive treats!
Me too! Thank you!
I have tried the Fourth of July Rice Krispies Treats. Great!
Just one thing, searching is a zoo to find recipes.
nice layers, love the colors baked in! Very patriotic, thank you!
Thank you & thanks for stopping by!
Microwaving the marshmallows ruined 2 of my bowls and 2 of my spoons, and I followed your directions. VERY disappointed.
I’m so sorry. As always, when using a microwave you must use a microwave safe bowl. 🙁
Hi Kristyn! I’m sharing this fun treat on my blog today! Thanks for sharing and have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
I tried this recipe and the recipe isn’t enough for the pan and to mix on the colors is very difficult to do I used the same ingredients as you and you should describe the ingredients more specifically…. Are they mini marshmallows or regular, what type of butter salted or unsalted,and I think you should’ve mixed the color in with the marshmallows and butter not when the Rice Krispies are already in the mixture and the stove works best
Sorry you had a hard time with this recipe. We’ve made it several times just as instructed and they always turn out perfectly. As for marshmallows, I’ve done mini and regular and they turn out the same. I also always use unsalted butter with my treats. 🙂
so cute! now all i can think about is making rice krispie treats 😀
Did the red and blue color get all over the hands when eating? I’m just curious so I know ahead of time what to expect with the little kids! Thanks!
It didn’t for us, but I think it depends on the food coloring you use. I like the Betty Crocker food coloring gel because I feel like it doesn’t stain hands or mouths. 😉
Love the Rice Krispie Treats — So cute!
I wanted to let you know I am featuring your 4th of July Rice Krispies Treats in my Easy 4th of July Recipes post on 6/20/14! I thank you for sharing your recipe and am exited to include it alongside other great 4th of July recipe ideas!
Thank you so much, Kristi! XO
For the rice krispies I have a 10 oz bag of large marshmallows. Will that work? And I also love all these ideas! 🙂
Well, I made these Fourth of July Rice Krispies Treats and they looked good and appealing on the picture, and I followed all instructions, but mine didn’t turn out quite so appealing. Also, you left out a lot of information I would have liked to know without having to look it up. For the people like me, splitting the bag of marshmallows is about 2 cups each, and I honestly did not know how many drops of my food coloring to put in. Luckily, since they aren’t so delightful as they appear in your pictures, I only made these for my family at home. Thanks for the recipe though! Add more info next time!
Great recipe! Your colors look much darker than the blog where you go the recipe form (Cookie Madness) – how did you do it?!
I used the Gel Food Colors which I think are more bright, plus I used more food coloring as well but it helped give that bright color I was looking for. 🙂
So cute! I’m just curious though.. does the food coloring dye your mouth/teeth?
Not at all! At least ours didn’t. 🙂
I have confused…do I microwave all the marshmellows at one time…so how much cereal do Iadd to each …
Make three bowls (make sure they are big enough to stir the rice krispies in!) of 2 cups of marshmallow and one tablespoon of margarine/butter in each bowl. Heat as instructed (I did about a minute and a half) then take the bowl you heated and add the color. (red or blue) Stir then add 2 cups of the cereal and stir. The stirring is the hardest part!
I really want to make a bigger batch so it does fit into a 9×13….what if I double your recipe? Would that work?
I definitely thinking doubling the batch will make it fit a 9×13. 🙂
Made these for our 4th BBQ. They were a hit and so easy to make. Thanks!
Yay!! So glad! Love hearing that. They really are so fun and easy to do! 😀
I’m a guy, so I’m not sure if I can comment on here. haha
I’m making these for my wife, and I was wondering what size bag of marshmallows you are referring to? I got a 16oz. bag but it looks kinda big. Thanks
Hi Caleb – so sorry I’m just now commenting back. We were on vacation last week. The 16 oz. bag is perfect. Seems like a lot but it’s the best amount. You may have to add a few more Rice Krispies. 🙂 And PS – Guys are definitely welcome here. 🙂
I made this for our church’s 4th of July cookout tonight. I tried the microwave method but it didn’t work for me; the marshmallows stuck to the sides and turned hard. Maybe I did something wrong. Fortunately I had bought an extra bag of marshmallows, so I just started over using the stovetop, the old-fashioned way. I did use a 9×13 pan but the 2nd and 3rd layers were hard to spread to cover the previous layer (not enough “batter” to cover that much area). Will definitely use a 9×9 or 8×8 pan next time. I think these will be a hit tonight!
Hmmmm…. not sure what happened with your marshmallows. I always microwave and never had that problem. :/ Glad you had an extra bag. I think a 9×9 is the perfect size and may take off the 9×13 so people know it may not fit. Thanks for the suggestion. Hope you had a great Fourth. 🙂
These are amazing! I used cookie cutters to make them into stars, flags and other patriotic shapes. 🙂
Just made these, and they look adorable! I used a 9×9 pan, but I think it would have been better in an 8×8 pan. Thanks for the great idea!!
I made these tonight…I used food coloring AND cherry & berry blue Jell-o to make the colors brighter and more tasty! Winner!
I love these rice krispies. They are so cute. I think rice krispies are great during summer cause they aren’t a heavy treat.
I would love for you to share this on my Patriotic Link-up party
http://www.suzyhomemaker.net/2012/05/lets-party-like-its-1776.html
Thanks
Agreed!! Plus, they are so easy and quick to make – BONUS!
Ok..it’s official..you are my hero!
Not only do I LOVE rice krispie treats but I love any excuse to play w/ my food colors and icing dyes.
AND
the fact that I only make rice krispie treats once in awhile because of the mess in the melted pan. has now been rectified by the fact I can now make them using my microwave!!
You are awesome…I’m putting these on my blog.!! thanks so much!!
LOL!! Yay – so glad to be someone’s hero, haha!! It was so fun using the food colors for these and using the gel food colors made the colors so vibrant!! And what’s funny is I’ve been micorwaving my marshmallows for years – I thought everyone did it. Makes for a SUPER quick but yummy treat. 🙂
love the red white and blue!
Thank you, Heather!!
These treats look colorful and yummy! I love festive treats!
What a great idea to add the food coloring! Rice crispy treats are totally a go-to treat in our house – well, we use gluten free rice crispies! I am totally pinning this to my 4th of July board, and I am your newest follower 🙂 Cant wait to see what other great ideas you have!
Thank you for the sweet words, Veronica! Glad you like the treats, and I hope you can find more creations on here that you will love as well. 🙂
Love these! They are so adorable. I hope you will come link it up at my Pinworthy Projects Party!
These are soooo cute!!!
Kristyn, these are so cute! I love the idea of switching up something so simple to make such a great impact! I’d love to have you come link up at my Tutorial Tuesday http://www.ourthriftyideas.com/2012/06/tutorial-tuesday-10.html
What a great idea!! I love rice krispie treats, and these are extra fun. Megan
WOW, that looks like some serious yumminess! I hope you will link up to my Patriotic Project Parade.
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/06/patriotic-project-parade-linky-party.html
you are the cutest! i LOOOOVE These! I must make! you microwave your marshmallows?! I have never thought of that!
What a fun way to dress up rice krispie treats!!! I love the bright colors!!!
These are so cute! Definitely pinning them. 🙂
Perfectly patriotic!
OMG, K…you are killing me with all of this absolutely ADORABLE stuff!!! Pinning this, too!